CPUC to hold public hearings on San Onofre in Costa Mesa

Later, there will be a second set of hearings in San Diego County

On February 21, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold public hearings on the mess at the San Onofre nuclear plant. They will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa. The CPUC is planning a second set of hearings in San Diego County, but the date and time have not been set. Elected representatives and government officials will be given priority for comment at Costa Mesa. Members of the public must sign in and will be called to comment in the order listed on the sign-in sheet. Subjects will include whether the CPUC should take specific actions as a result of non-operation of the plant. Hopefully, public safety will come under discussion, since 8.7 million people -- many within San Diego County -- live within 50 miles of San Onofre.

Southern California Edison (SCE) is trying to recover costs of its steam generator replacement program from its ratepayers. It replaced four generators and in two years all were out of service. They were supposed to last 18 years. San Diego attorney Mike Aguirre filed a document with the CPUC today stating there is compelling evidence that SCE knows that the cost of the steam generator program was not reasonable, and therefore the utility's attempt to recover those costs from ratepayers should be denied.